Is there a tourist tax in England?
Not yet. In 2026 there is no tourist tax for holiday lets, Airbnb hosts or B&Bs anywhere in England. The government has said mayors will get the power to charge an overnight visitor levy, but it needs a new law first, so nothing is expected before 2027 or 2028.
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What is planned?
The Overnight Visitor Levy Bill was announced in the King's Speech in May 2026. It would let the 13 mayoral authorities, including London, Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, charge a levy on overnight stays after publishing a plan and consulting locally. As of late September 2026 the bill had not yet been introduced to Parliament.
The government's plan is a percentage of the accommodation price, with no national cap on the rate or on the number of nights, the same shape as Scotland's levies. Like Scotland and Wales, the host would work out the levy and pay it, even for Airbnb and Booking.com bookings.
What about Manchester and Liverpool's £1 and £2 charges?
Those are not a tax. Manchester's £1 and Liverpool's £2 per room per night "city visitor charges" are run by groups of member hotels through business improvement districts. They do not apply to holiday lets or Airbnb hosts.
Do you have properties in Scotland or Wales too?
Those levies are already here. Edinburgh's 5% has applied since 24 July 2026, Glasgow's starts on 25 January 2027, every paid host in Wales must register by 31 March 2027 and Cardiff's levy starts on 1 April 2027.
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What to do now if you host in England
- Nothing is due, so you don't need to change your prices yet.
- Keep your booking records tidy (dates, guest numbers, what guests paid for the room), so you're ready when your area starts.
- Join the list above so you hear the day your area publishes its plan.
Sources: House of Commons Library, a visitor levy for English mayors; Hansard, 15 September 2026. Last checked 1 October 2026. General information, not tax or legal advice. Nero Engine Group Ltd, company 16521432, 66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA. Privacy · Terms